Cheap Trick’s 1977 debut adequately conveys the energy of the group’s live act, and puts forth a lot of anti-authoritarian attitude – i.e., it’s suitably snotty and aggressive, misogynistic and horny. The themes are dark: "Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School" is about pedophilia; “Oh Candy” is about suicide; “The Ballad of T.V. Violence" is about a serial killer. The LP didn’t make much of a dent in the States, but it was a big hit in Japan. In a logistical contortion, Cheap Trick would become stars in Japan, which would, in turn, make them famous in the US.

Amoeba Review

Jeff Hunt 06/07/2010

Cheap Trick’s 1977 debut adequately conveys the energy of the group’s live act, and puts forth a lot of anti-authoritarian attitude – i.e., it’s suitably snotty and aggressive, misogynistic and horny. The themes are dark: "Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School" is about pedophilia; “Oh Candy” is about suicide; “The Ballad of T.V. Violence" is about a serial killer. The LP didn’t make much of a dent in the States, but it was a big hit in Japan. In a logistical contortion, Cheap Trick would become stars in Japan, which would, in turn, make them famous in the US.